We will be renting a car in Venice and driving North and making stops for a couple of days in Bolzano, then to to Lake Como/Maggiori, then the coast through Genoa, then ...Portofino etc., and then to Cinque Terra. Should we reserve motels or BB in all these areas before we go (May 15 to June 1st) or just take our chances? I hate to waste time looking for motels, or rooms when there is so much to see. So much to plan, so much to see, it is overwhelming!!! Please help
Posted by
Texan in CA
4407 posts
"I hate to waste time looking for motels, or rooms when there is so much to see." If you know where you want to be, and when you want to be there, then definitely go ahead and book your rooms! It already takes so much time to find the hotel, get parked, unload and get to the front desk, get signed in and get the room key, get settled, blahblahblah...it always takes longer than you think it will! Print and bring with you copies of your reservations, verify them by email a week before you depart, and relax in the knowledge that your bed is taken care of for each night! That leaves room for all of those other things to be left to chance...
Posted by
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
712 posts
I agree with the previous poster. Accomodations are such a huge chunk of the budget that I really like to know where I'm staying, how much it is, and how to get there far in advance. I hate the feeling of not being able to settle on a restaurant I like when Im hungry so can't imagine not knowing where I will sleep! On another note, planning a trip to ( any random name here) should be almost as fun as actually going. I know there is a ton to plan and prepare, but the minute you start feeling overwhelmed, just take a few steps back and regroup. Make a check list, or delegate some thing to the other travellers in your group. Determine the big details (hotel, flight, transportation. major sites) and let the other chips fall where they may. I LOVE the planning phase, so try to enjoy that too!
Posted by
OP
Lauderdale by the Sea, FL
20 posts
Thank you, thank you for you really quick response!!! Yes, I am having a wonderful time planning, but there's so much to see, that I have to take Monique's advice and "chill out"........I have to decide which towns are the ones that I would like to see the most, etc. and go from there. I already have a little cottage near Perugia for a week for day trips......now I need places in Bolzano, Lago Como, Cinque Terra, etc. This site has really helped me! Also, I have Rick's book which has been my "bible" for any European Trip! He has never let me down in any recommendation!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32213 posts
Vivien, That time of year is in the middle of the "spring shoulder season", so I would definitely recommend pre-booking accommodations! If you use the "spontaneous" approach, you could spend a lot of time trying to find a place to sleep, may have to stay in a "dodgy" location, or pay more than you intended. If you have Rick's Italy book, there are lots of good listings for Hotels, B&B's, etc. Is this the first time you'll be driving in Italy? There are some "issues" to be aware of. If you need further details, post another note. Happy travels!